Impact of Agronomic Practices on Growth, Yield, and Profitability of King Chilli (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) in Darrang District of Assam, India

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of cultivation practices on the growth, yield, and economic viability of King chilli (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) under subtropical conditions in Darrang district, Assam. A field investigation was carried out during the rabi season of 2022-23 at the KrishiVigyan Kendra (KVK), Darrang, using a Randomized Block Design comprising three treatments and five replications. The treatments included: T₁ (open-field cultivation with 100% of the Recommended Dose of Fertilizers), T₂ (polyhouse cultivation with 100% RDF) and T₃ (open-field cultivation without RDF) Results demonstrated that T2 (polyhouse + 100% RDF) significantly enhanced both vegetative and reproductive performance, producing the tallest plants (98.54 cm), longest leaves (9.32 cm), highest leaf count (117.50), and superior fruit dimensions (length: 5.90 cm; diameter: 3.11 cm; weight: 5.92 g). This treatment also induced earlier phenological development, with first flowering at 81.50 days after transplanting (DAT) and 50% flowering at 97.20 DAT, culminating in the highest fruit yield (3.10 quintals). In contrast, T3 (open-field without RDF) exhibited the poorest outcomes, with stunted growth (62.72 cm plant height), reduced leaf production (98.81 leaves), and diminished yield (1.77 quintals), underscoring the indispensable role of balanced fertilization. Economic analysis revealed a notable divergence between agronomic superiority and financial feasibility. While T2 maximized yield, T1 (open-field + 100% RDF) delivered the highest net income (Rs. 29,040) and benefit-cost ratio (2.14), attributable to lower production costs. The polyhouse system (T2), despite its yield advantage, yielded a lower B:C ratio (1.88) due to elevated infrastructure expenses. These findings highlight the trade-off between yield optimization and economic sustainability in King chilli cultivation. The study advocates for context-specific adoption—polyhouse systems for maximizing productivity where resources permit, and RDF-supplemented open-field cultivation for economically constrained growers. Future research should explore low-cost protected structures and precision nutrient management to bridge this gap.